Eclipse Ii: A Charlie Reinhart Novel

Contents

Part One

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Part Two

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

Acknowledgements

The Protagonist Charlie Reinhart is modeled after the affirmative leadership, values and dedication to country demonstrated by Charles Thurber Jr.

Part One

1

Sunday, 10 May 2009, 1600

Missoula, Montana

I was getting anxious to complete the 12 hour bag and drag.

I don’t mind flying, but the stuff that goes with it is over the top. The drive from Taos, N.M. and security check-in to catch a flight out of Albuquerque N.M. equals five hours. You know the drill, get the bags, grab a rental car. It all adds up.

The slower the hours crept by, the more I dreamed about my fishing partner. I hadn’t been this excited since Christmas Eve when I was six.

I’m only minutes from meeting up with a beautiful woman. Her name is Kelly Longheart, or should I say FBI Special Agent Kelly Longheart.

We first met in January this year working together on an undercover operation in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

She was assigned as my girlfriend. It was all business, but I certainly had to work at keeping my focus for those few weeks.

She is best described as ‘the total package’, a true brunette, blue eyes, 5’8", 120 lbs, sharp facial features, and the physique of a long distance runner, and the most outstanding legs I’ve ever seen.

I could not believe she was selected to be my girlfriend by some civil servant in Washington.

Throughout the course of the operation, or more precisely, at the end of the operation, I found out she had a passion for my favorite sport, fly fishing.

To add icing on the cake, she had a cabin on a stream just north of Missoula, Montana. That’s where I’ll arrive in about thirty minutes.

Although I’ve never touched her, I couldn’t wait to see her again.

We talked on the phone, but we haven’t seen each other for three months. I’ve been recuperating in California from wounds received during the Argentina operation.

The agency put me on ice until the wounds healed. There was concern that too many questions would be asked if for some reason I needed any type of medical help before the wounds c ed up. That’s all behind me now.

I haven’t had a romantic interest since my wife Polly passed away two years back.

Actually, this trip was planned as a fishing trip, nothing else. However, fishing was not my main interest.

I could only be described as nervous.

17 00

There was no cell phone service in this area, so I was unable to signal Kelly that I was closing in on her location.

I had been driving for the last hour through some of the most gorgeous forest in the country.

As the GPS noted, the cabin was just up ahead, a few hundred yards off the road. Very nice digs indeed.

There she was, standing outside on the porch, waiting.

I couldn’t believe how good she looked-I’ve seen her in everything from slacks to a bathing suit, but standing there in a pair of jeans and a light blue sweater she was amazing.

The only conscious thought going through my mind was ‘Holy Christ’.

I had no earthly idea what to do next or what to say.

Luckily, Kelly took charge.

Charlie, don’t say a word, just put your arms around me and hug me close.

Without delay, I did exactly as I was told. I took hold of her like she might slip away. I’m sure I held her far longer than the book, whatever that book is, would allow.

I released my hold and felt a bit embarrassed.

I held on too long, didn’t I? Charlie asked a bit awkwardly.

Can a hug ever be too long? The rule is that if a hug lasts longer than five seconds then it must be followed by a kiss. A kiss makes it all legitimate.

I don’t know who wrote those rules, but they have it right, Charlie said as he drew Kelly up close and kissed her as tenderly as he could.

This time I took as much time as I wanted. There were no complaints.

After overdoing it, I came up for air.

That’s a greeting I’ll always remember, Kelly said as she took a deep breath.

I didn’t respond except to smile. Then I took Kelly by the hand and asked her to show me around. It was either that or I’d do something stupid like trying to take the greeting to the next level. The thought crossed my mind.

I prepared some guacamole and margaritas are in the blender. We’re going to have salmon and wild rice for dinner. And, if you play your cards right there may be dessert, Kelly promised as she was showing Charlie around the property.

It just so happens that guacamole and chips with margaritas are my favorite appetizers.

I know. I did my homework.

I’m afraid to ask.

"Ike Newman told me about your odd diet. Things like ‘sliders, English muffins and hash browns’. He wouldn’t tell me how he knew.

He is obviously part of your ‘out of bounds’ world."

"If you’re interested in details, I did receive authority to talk to you about me. I believe it’s time we had such discussions.

Let’s get those margaritas and the dip then have that conversation.

You can survey most of the property from the back deck. It will save you hiking around. We own the land from the road to about twenty five yards on the other side of the stream. A ten acre square parcel.

Kelly retrieved the chilled pitcher of margaritas and with it, a bowl of guacamole and chips.

I was hoping to get this conversation over with and done.

My personal life and my connection to the Government are classified.

It’s somewhat complicated; The trick is to keep anyone from discovering the relationship between me and Uncle Sam.

Kelly became aware of my relationship to ‘Covert Operations’ when she was assigned as my girlfriend during one such operation.

The operation was a success except I was wounded in a firefight.

Kelly was drawn further in the operation than we had planned when she was asked to assist me in getting out of Argentina.

Up to that point she was kept in the dark about all aspects of the operation. She was assigned to act as a significant other and nothing else. In fact, she was directed not to get involved or to ask questions.

There was a manhunt by the Argentine Government for a person with gunshot wounds.

I was that person.

The Argentines took great umbrage with me putting an RPG-7 rocket and a few 40cal rounds into their Deputy Director of Policia Federal, General Luis Jose Roca.

The General and a few other folks had masterminded and financed the development of a shoulder fired rocket they planned to sell to the highest bidders. That would include any terrorist with a sizeable bank account.

The U.S. President, under the War Powers Act, organized a committee chaired by the Chief Justice, and staffed with a conservative and liberal Justice as well as the Senate majority and minority leaders.

These five people are formally known as the Board of Directors. Their charter is to deliberate possible attacks on terrorist threats. Their recommendations are used by the President to decide on targets.

The threats are targeted regardless of where they are located. The program is known as Operation Eclipse.

The existence of the Board, its charter and all missions carry the highest classifications in the Government. All activities of the Board are unacknowledged.

I had been recruited to command a team to eliminate the rocket assembly plant located in Argentina.

Our cover story for the mission was that I was guiding a fly fishing group to Patagonia.

Just by chance, after my retirement from the Army, I established myself as a fly fishing guide in Northern New Mexico. The fly fishing gig and my experience with covert operations made me a perfect fit for the Argentina job.

We, in fact, did fish the Seven Lakes area of Patagonia, and while there, we explosively eliminated a rocket assembly plant.

We had to go in hard and consequently five bad guys died in the process as did one of our team members.

Two months after the rocket plant mission I planned and directed the elimination of three people who were responsible for the financing, manufacturing, and distribution of the rocket.

It was during that mission we used three federal law enforcement female agents as part of our cover.

Unfortunately for me, Kelly became involved in more of the mission than we planned because of leg wounds I received during a firefight.

To make a long story short, I discovered her passion for fly fishing.

I must admit my interest in this fishing trip had more to do with Kelly than with catching trout.

"I’m going to set here and take full advantage of your company and just stare at the stream.

I was going to ask you to fill in some of the information voids, but that would be unfair.

That doesn’t mean I’m not interested, but I don’t want to pester you," Kelly said as she made herself comfortable in the Adirondack which she had placed within Charlie’s reach.

I don’t want to be mysterious, especially with you. If you can’t trust the FBI, who can you trust? Charlie said, tongue in cheek. "As I mentioned earlier, we’re clear to talk.

First, it was my idea to be classified as a ‘Special Access Subject’. I didn’t want anyone except selected folks to have access to me.

Right now about twenty people have knowledge of my association with the federal Government.

The program I work with and the people I work for in the Government are sensitive issues. That’s something I can’t discuss.

I retired from the Army two years ago and set up a fly fishing guide service in New Mexico.

In the Army I worked back and forth between Special Forces and Operational Intelligence."

That goes a long way towards explaining all the scars and dents. When you were being patched up in Buenos Aires, I was amazed at how many bullet and shrapnel wounds you were carrying around. You wouldn’t exactly make a great recruitment poster if someone saw you without your shirt, Kelly commented with a smile.

"The good news is that I collected them over a twenty year career.

As I was saying, I established my fly fishing service in northern New Mexico, Taos to be exact.

I was happy doing something I always wanted to do and to be finished with all the Rambo crap.

Well, as you now know, that peace and quiet didn’t last long.

I was recruited back into the business to conduct very special missions. I accepted because I wanted to do my part following 9/11.

With minor exclusions, that pretty much brings me up to where you and I met at Fort Bragg, Charlie said as he reached for his drink and some guacamole. You may be tested on this later so I hope you were taking notes," He added.

Be honest with me now, how is the margarita and guacamole?

At the risk of sounding like I’m trying to get on your good guy list, these are great. Truth be known, this is such a perfect moment with the right person at the right place at the right time I may need to pinch myself. I kid you not-everything is great.

I’m glad we found time to make this happen, Kelly said while taking hold of Charlie’s hand.

The best I could do was smile and not screw up the moment by saying something weird.

Do you have children?

"No, we tried but it wasn’t to be. I don’t know if you were told, but my wife Polly died a few years back.

It was during her illness that the Army assigned me to command the Special Weapons School at Fort Bragg. It was referred to as a compassionate assignment.

The assignment kept me at home for the first time in my career.

What about you, ever been married?"

"Yes, I was married for about ten years. He is a fellow agent. We’re still on speaking terms. He remarried.

I’ve been divorced for four years. No children."

"As you may well expect, being a classified person gives the Government input into all aspects of my life.

You are their newest challenge so they had no hesitation butting in on my visit with you.

These folks came up with a cover story for how we met.

Our story is that we met by chance while I was trying to find access to this very stream. One thing led to another. After that it’s no one’s business," Charlie said more in the tone of a question than an answer

I agree, it makes things simple to remember. Did this chance meeting take place today?

Yes, and you were gracious enough to invite me to stay over, Charlie added.

Speaking of which, why don’t you unload your stuff while I get the food on the table. All I need to do is heat a few things.

I unloaded my gear, placed the fishing equipment in the mud room and dropped my bags by the front door.

The cabin was designed around a great room concept. The kitchen, dining room and den were in one large room. Two bedrooms were separated by a shared bath, and the third bedroom was a large master bedroom with sitting area and oversized bath with a Jacuzzi.

"You can open the wine, we’re ready to eat.

I’m going to fire up the pellet stove to get ahead of the cold. It can get a bit chilled this time of year in the Montana hills."

We ate dinner slowly, taking time to discuss everything from Kelly’s decision to join the FBI rather than pursue a law career, to the best fishing spots on the property.

The atmosphere was very relaxing.

After dinner we stacked the dishes in the washer, poured fresh glasses of wine, and retired to a comfortable couch in front of the pellet stove.

We put our feet up on the table placed there for that purpose. Then we covered ourselves with a lap blanket. Home at last.

After about twenty minutes Kelly got up and moved my bags from the front door to the master bedroom.

I must have died and gone to heaven. The rest of the night was wonderful. I needn’t explain further.

2

Sunday, 10 May 2009, 1100

Av. 45, Hidalgo

Villa de Aragon, Mexico City, Mexico

Moose Hemming arrived at the Weston Terminal after a great ride in a first class environment. It was 2100 but Moose felt rested.

This was the first job Moose accepted after his retirement from the Army.

With a little coaxing from Bowser Weston, Chairman and CEO of the multinational Weston Corporation, Moose took on the task of evaluating the physical security of Weston’s overseas property. His first assignment was to survey a villa that served as both a safe house and a Weston executive retreat.

The ‘safe house’ aspect of the Villa was the real point of interest.

Bowser Weston became aware of Moose’s security expertise when Moose became caught up in a covert operation involving a safe house in Argentina maintained by Weston Corp. for the U.S. Government.

There was a very highly classified relationship between Weston and the CIA.

Moose was critical of what he referred to as Weston’s carefree attitude, and he made his views known.

Bowser was impressed with Moose’s common sense approach to physical security and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Moose was a natural for the job.

It was 0800 the following morning before Moose got his act together. He was starting later than he wanted, but he needed to take a long run to shake out the travel lag. The run also provided him the opportunity to take a close look at the neighborhood.

Moose didn’t like what he saw. The villa was far too close to other structures in the area. The closeness of other houses had more negatives than positives.

The big drawback was unintended consequence and prying eyes. The positives are that a lot of different people come and go. Also the place is close to the airport.

He thought he may be persuaded to accept the location.

He spent the last night searching for any unusual features that may attract unwanted attention by certain visitors.

After a quick shower and a cup of coffee he reported in to Tyler Weston on his arrival and the status of the review. Tyler was Bowser’s only child and apparent successor to the

Chairmanship of Weston. He often served as a point of contact for his father.

Moose’s plan was to start the formal review on the outside attributes of the villa and survey adjoining property to see if these buildings enhance or distract from the security envelope.

Next door to the villa was a large single story house that appeared vacant.

To get a bird’s eye view of the villa, Moose climbed up on top of a common wall that divided the property from the next door neighbor.

The wall was about eight feet high and eighteen inches wide. It was a classic ‘villa’ style stucco wall.

Moose walked to the east corner and decided to snap a few pictures.

Before he could get the camera to his eye all hell broke loose. He didn’t see it coming. He was totally caught up in getting the best picture.

A rather large hand grabbed Moose by the pant leg and literally pulled him off the wall. Whoever it was, had to jump at least three feet to make the grab.

Moose hit the ground like a pile of bricks.

By the time he got his bearings, a 9mm automatic was shoved into his face and two very angry Mexicans were telling him to lay on his belly.

Moose acted as though he didn’t understand a word of their demands. It didn’t serve him well.

One guy stepped back and kicked him in the ribs then jumped on his back. He was pinned. The guy on his back put his pistol barrel in

Moose’s eye and pushed until it hurt. The guy started yelling hands-hands.

Moose put his hands straight out giving these guys a chance to take each arm behind him and place handcuffs around his wrist.

The guy got off Moose’ back and ordered him to stand up by waving a pistol up and down.

Moose stood and was marched into the house. After entering the house he was searched and his wallet and money were removed.

Moose decided his best bet was to keep his bilingual ability to himself.

One of the guys, who Moose called Lips, because his lips were large and puffy, got his cell phone out and called a person who seemed to be the boss.

As he started to speak, Moose tried to explain who he was.

The other guy stepped forward and hit Moose between the eyes with his 9mm. Moose went to his knees and was fighting to stay conscious. He was losing blood but it was not as bad as it could have been. The blood was running into his right eye.

Moose stayed down, then rolled over onto his side and let the blood drip down the side of his forehead.

Lips explained to his boss that he had caught a person taking pictures of the house. He went on to say he thought I was some sort of cop from America. He said Moose was not the usual tourist.

Then, it became clear to Moose what the problem was. Lips told his boss that the

American cop had seen the money and was taking pictures.

Obviously Moose was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had stumbled into a money laundering bank. A place where money is transferred from the some illegal activity to what appears to be legitimate businesses.

To put it bluntly, Moose was in deep shit.

3

Monday, 11 May 2009, 0800

Missoula, Montana

Holy cow, I really slept later than I planned, Charlie said as he emerged from the bedroom following a scent of freshly made coffee.

You probably had a lot of catching up to do.

In more ways than one way.

If I helped in any way, you are welcome.

"You were more than a help, I would describe you as more the ‘object of attention’.

I walked across the room and took her in my arms.

You are everything I thought you’d be, gentle, quiet, agile, and passionate.

I’ll take all that as positive. Now tell me how you like your coffee.

Black, stronger than most people think it should be.

You’re just what the Doctor ordered, Kelly said leading Charlie over to the couch in front of the warmth of the pellet stove.

We’ll be able to get in some fishing later today when a new hatch starts. One of the benefits of living on the stream is that we needn’t stand in the water all day waiting for the fish to start biting. We can see the action and join in.

I’m going to be very honest with you about how I feel. The truth is I came here to be with you. If we fish-fine.

After a few English muffins and another cup of coffee, Kelly and I fell asleep again. I for one was